Finished tattoo (serezniy (123RF))
The military used to be particularly strict about tattoos. However, in recent years, the service branches have loosened restrictions and increasingly accepted tattoos as a societal norm. If you are an active-duty service member and are considering getting a tattoo, be sure to inform yourself of the rules and regulations. Here is an overview of current military tattoo policies:
All branches
· No limit—in number or size—for tattoos on the chest, torso, arms, legs and feet.
· One ring tattoo.
Army
· One tattoo on the back of the neck, not to exceed two inches in any direction.
· One tattoo behind each ear, not to exceed one inch in any direction.
· One tattoo on each hand, not to exceed one inch in any direction. No limit to tattoos between fingers that are not visible when hands are closed.
· Permanent facial makeup that adheres to grooming standards.
Air Force
· One tattoo per hand not exceeding one inch.
· A single tattoo on the back of the neck or behind the ear, not exceeding one inch.
· Cosmetic tattoos to correct medical conditions.
· Permanent facial makeup that adheres to grooming standards.
Marine Corps
· Ultra violet tattoos are allowed as long as they follow all standards.
Navy
· Any number and size of tattoos on hands.
· One tattoo on the neck or behind the ear, not to exceed one inch in any direction.
· Cosmetic tattoos to correct medical conditions.
· Sailors with sleeve tattoos can now be assigned to Recruiting Command positions and Recruit Training Command.
Space Force
· One tattoo on the back of the neck or behind an ear that does not exceed one inch in any direction.
· Cosmetic tattoos to correct medical conditions.
· Permanent facial makeup that adheres to grooming standards.
Coast Guard
· One inch tattoo behind the ears.
· One back of hand tattoo not to exceed 2.5 inches.
All Branches:
· Tattoos are prohibited on the head, scalp, tongue or face.
· Content must not be indecent, sexist, racist, obscene, extremist, gang-related, overtly sexual, discriminatory, incite violence or represent an organization that does.
Army
· No tattoos on the front of the neck, or front of ears.
Air Force
· No tattoos above the open collar on the head, neck or face.
Marine Corps:
· No tattoos above the seventh vertebrae on the back or above the collarbone on the chest.
· No head, neck or hand tattoos.
· Crew neck t-shirts are required if a tattoo is visible in a V-neck shirt.
· Certain duties still prohibit full sleeve or full leg tattoos due to interaction with and sensitivities to other cultures.
Navy
· Tattoos cannot be visible through Whites.
Space Force
· No tattoos on the front of the neck, front of ears, or hands beyond the allowed ring tattoos.
· Chest or back tattoos cannot be visible through any uniform.
Coast Guard
· No visible tattoos above the line of a crew neck t-shirt in the front
· No visible tattoos above the line a standard blue tropical shirt in the back.
2024 was a landmark year for tattoos in the U.S. Army when Captain Isis Sake, originally from Apia, Samoa, received a waver for her traditional Samoan hand tattoos. These tattoos, or “malu” as they are known in Samoa, are hand-poked by a Samoan tattoo artist, symbolize her selfless service. She received her first malu back in 2017, on her legs, however, it was her hand tattoos that fell outside of the regulations in 2022. She was counseled and sought out the waiver, approved earlier this year. Read more about this landmark moment and see her tattoos at militarytimes.com.
